Decomposed body of dolphin washes up on Sidmouth beach
Michael Lane took a photo of the decomposed body of a dolphin that washed up near Chit Rocks on Wednesday - Credit: Archant
Visitors to Sidmouth beach found the decomposed body of a dolphin had washed up near Chit Rocks on Wednesday (December 28).
As the aquatic mammals are classed as a ‘royal fish’, Beer Coastguard members were tasked to fulfil their duty of taking measurements and identifying its sex and species.
The details are normally sent to the Natural History Museum but they learned it had been removed by the council shortly before their arrival.
Efforts were made to locate the carcass but it was badly decomposed and had already been disposed of.
Tony Velterop was among those who saw the body and said it looked like a bottlenose dolphin.
You may also want to watch:
Royal fish, which also include whales and sturgeons, are the property of the Queen.
Most Read
- 1 Stuart Hughes retains Sidmouth county council seat
- 2 Jess Bailey secures a seat at Devon County Council
- 3 Reid family follow in the footsteps of Sir Captain Tom
- 4 Hopes high that half marathon will be an annual event
- 5 Paedophile hunters' sting in Sidbury leads to prosecution
- 6 Ottery Primary pupils' pedal power shines through at hill climb
- 7 Tributes paid to GP who dedicated 36 years to Sid Valley patients
- 8 Town council vacancies to be filled at the ballot box
- 9 Toto goes bananas with his love for fruit and veg shop
- 10 Photographic competition challenges snappers to spring into action
